Generating process templates with configurable activity parameters by merging existing templates

ABSTRACT

A centralized controller may include at least one processor, a memory and a communication interface. The centralized controller may configure a computing system in a single deployment of an executable process. The executable process may include multiple executable instances associated with one of multiple different templates for the executable process. Each template may include multiple user-configurable parameters. A user may request a template associated with a first executable instance and update the template using the user-configurable parameters. The centralized controller may generate a second executable instance of the executable process and a second template associated with the second executable instance based on the updated template. The centralized controller may reconfigure the computing system based on the second executable instance of the executable process while maintaining the configuration of the computing system based on the first executable instance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority toU.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/384,473, filed Dec. 20, 2016, andentitled “EXECUTABLE PROCESS-MANAGEMENT ENGINES,” which is acontinuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/698,901, filed Apr. 29, 2015, and entitled “EXECUTABLEPROCESS-MANAGEMENT ENGINES.” Each of the foregoing applications isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Many large organizations utilize process management to manage variousprocesses (e.g., design, model, execute, monitor, optimize, andreengineer) over their lifecycles. Conventional (e.g., software anddatabase based) approaches to process management have becomeincreasingly rigid, resulting in an inability to adapt to variousdifferent scenarios (e.g., use cases, and the like). As a result, anorganization may have to deploy multiple different solutions to covereach differing scenario, resulting in excess cost, as well as slower andlonger deployments. Accordingly, a need exists for executableprocess-management engines.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basicunderstanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This summary is not anextensive overview of the disclosure. It is intended neither to identifykey or critical elements of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope ofthe disclosure. The following summary merely presents some concepts ofthe disclosure in a simplified form as a prelude to the descriptionbelow.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a centralized controller mayinclude at least one processor, a memory and a communication interface.The centralized controller may configure a computing system in a singledeployment of an executable process. The executable process may includemultiple executable instances corresponding to different sets ofstructured activities. Each executable instance may be associated withone of multiple different templates for the executable process. Eachtemplate may include multiple user-configurable parameters including atleast an add new structured activity parameter, a modify a structuredactivity parameter, and a remove a structured activity parameter. Thecentralized controller may receive a request for a particular templatefrom a group of multiple templates and, in response, may output theparticular template, which may be associated with a particularexecutable instance of the executable process. The centralizedcontroller may receive an updated template associated with theparticular template, which may include an update to the particulartemplate via one or more of the multiple user-configurable parameters.The centralized controller may generate a second executable instance ofthe executable process and a second template associated with the secondexecutable instance based on the update template. The centralizedcontroller may reconfigure the computing system based on the secondexecutable instance of the executable process while maintaining theconfiguration of the computing system based on the first executableinstance. The centralized controller may execute the second executableinstance of the executable process on a user-specified data set.

In some embodiments, the centralized controller may, in response toreceiving a request for the second template, output the second templateto the user. The centralized controller may receive an updated secondtemplate associated with the second template. The updated secondtemplate may include an update to the second template via one or more ofits plurality of user-configurable parameters. The centralizedcontroller may generate a third executable instance of the executableprocess and a third new template associated with the third executableinstance based on the updated second template. The centralizedcontroller may reconfigure the computing system based on the thirdexecutable instance of the executable process while maintaining theconfiguration of the computing system based on the second executableinstance. The centralized controller may execute the third executableinstance of the executable process on a different user-specified dataset.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, an apparatus may include aprocessor and a memory storing computer-readable instructions that, whenexecuted by the processor, cause the apparatus to perform a number ofsteps. The apparatus may configure a computing system in a singledeployment of multiple executable instances corresponding to differentsets of structured activities. Each executable instance may beassociated with a template comprising multiple user-configurableparameters at least including an add new structured activity parameter,a modify a structured activity parameter, and a remove a structuredactivity parameter. In response to receiving a request for a firsttemplate from a first device, the apparatus may output the firsttemplate associated with a first executable instance to the firstdevice. The apparatus may receive an updated first template associatedwith the first template from the first device. The updated firsttemplate may include an update to the first template via one or more ofthe plurality of user-configurable parameters. The apparatus maygenerate a second executable instance and a second template associatedwith the second executable instance based on the updated first template.The apparatus may reconfigure the computing system based on the secondexecutable instance while maintaining the configuration of the computingsystem based on the first executable instance. In response to receivinga request for the second template from a second device, the apparatusmay output the second template to the second device.

In accordance with one or more embodiments, a system may include one ormore computing devices and a centralized controller, which may include aprocessor and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by theprocessor, cause the centralized controller to perform a number ofsteps. The centralized controller may store multiple templates with eachtemplate being associated with a different executable instance andincluding a plurality of user-configurable parameters. The centralizedcontroller may configure the one or more computing devices using asingle image of the executable instances. In response to receiving arequest for a template from a computing device of the one or morecomputing devices, the centralized controller may send the template tothe computing system. In response to receiving an update to the templatefrom the computing system, the centralized controller may generate a newexecutable instance based on the update and reconfigure the one or morecomputing devices using an updated single image comprising at least thenew executable instance.

Other details and features will be described in the sections thatfollow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is pointed out with particularity in the appendedclaims. Features of the disclosure will become more apparent upon areview of this disclosure in its entirety, including the drawing figuresprovided herewith.

Some features herein are illustrated by way of example, and not by wayof limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in whichlike reference numerals refer to similar elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative operating environment in which variousaspects of the present disclosure may be implemented in accordance withone or more example embodiments;

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative block diagram of workstations and serversthat may be used to implement the processes and functions of certainaspects of the present disclosure in accordance with one or more exampleembodiments;

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative computing system for deploying andmanaging executable process-management engines in accordance with one ormore example embodiments;

FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 4C, and FIG. 4D depict an illustrative eventsequence for deploying and managing executable process-managementengines in accordance with one or more example embodiments; and

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative method for deploying and managingexecutable process-management engines in accordance with one or moreexample embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of various illustrative embodiments,reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a parthereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, variousembodiments in which aspects of the disclosure may be practiced. It isto be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and structuraland functional modifications may be made, without departing from thescope of the present disclosure.

It is noted that various connections between elements are discussed inthe following description. It is noted that these connections aregeneral and, unless specified otherwise, may be direct or indirect,wired or wireless, and that the specification is not intended to belimiting in this respect.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative operating environment in which variousaspects of the present disclosure may be implemented in accordance withone or more example embodiments. Referring to FIG. 1, computing systemenvironment 100 may be used according to one or more illustrativeembodiments. Computing system environment 100 is only one example of asuitable computing environment and is not intended to suggest anylimitation as to the scope of use or functionality contained in thedisclosure. Computing system environment 100 should not be interpretedas having any dependency or requirement relating to any one orcombination of components shown in illustrative computing systemenvironment 100.

Computing system environment 100 may include computing device 101 havingprocessor 103 for controlling overall operation of computing device 101and its associated components, including random-access memory (RAM) 105,read-only memory (ROM) 107, communications module 109, and memory 115.Computing device 101 may include a variety of computer readable media.Computer readable media may be any available media that may be accessedby computing device 101, may be non-transitory, and may include volatileand nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in anymethod or technology for storage of information such ascomputer-readable instructions, object code, data structures, programmodules, or other data. Examples of computer readable media may includerandom access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electronicallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or othermemory technology, compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), digitalversatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices,or any other medium that can be used to store the desired informationand that can be accessed by computing device 101.

Although not required, various aspects described herein may be embodiedas a method, a data processing system, or as a computer-readable mediumstoring computer-executable instructions. For example, acomputer-readable medium storing instructions to cause a processor toperform steps of a method in accordance with aspects of the disclosedembodiments is contemplated. For example, one or more aspects of themethod steps disclosed herein may be executed on a processor oncomputing device 101. Such a processor may execute computer-executableinstructions stored on a computer-readable medium.

Software may be stored within memory 115 and/or storage to provideinstructions to processor 103 for enabling computing device 101 toperform various functions. For example, memory 115 may store softwareused by computing device 101, such as operating system 117, applicationprograms 119, and associated database 121. Also, some or all of thecomputer executable instructions for computing device 101 may beembodied in hardware or firmware. Although not shown, RAM 105 mayinclude one or more applications representing the application datastored in RAM 105 while computing device 101 is on and correspondingsoftware applications (e.g., software tasks), are running on computingdevice 101.

Communications module 109 may include a microphone, keypad, touchscreen, and/or stylus through which a user of computing device 101 mayprovide input, and may also include one or more of a speaker forproviding audio output and a video display device for providing textual,audiovisual and/or graphical output. Computing system environment 100may also include optical scanners (not shown). Exemplary usages includescanning and converting paper documents, e.g., correspondence, receipts,and the like, to digital files.

Computing device 101 may operate in a networked environment supportingconnections to one or more remote computing devices, such as computingdevices 141, 151, and 161. Computing devices 141, 151, and 161 may bepersonal computing devices or servers that include any or all of theelements described above relative to computing device 101. Computingdevice 161 may be a mobile device (e.g., smart phone) communicating overwireless carrier channel 171.

The network connections depicted in FIG. 1 may include local areanetwork (LAN) 125 and wide area network (WAN) 129, as well as othernetworks. When used in a LAN networking environment, computing device101 may be connected to LAN 125 through a network interface or adapterin communications module 109. When used in a WAN networking environment,computing device 101 may include a modem in communications module 109 orother means for establishing communications over WAN 129, such asInternet 131 or other type of computer network. The network connectionsshown are illustrative and other means of establishing a communicationslink between the computing devices may be used. Various protocols suchas transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), Ethernet,file transfer protocol (FTP), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) and thelike may be used, and the system can be operated in a client-serverconfiguration to permit a user to retrieve web pages from a web-basedserver. A web browser may be used to display and manipulate data on webpages.

Some aspects of the disclosure are operational with numerous othercomputing system environments or configurations. Examples of computingsystems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable foruse with the disclosed embodiments include, but are not limited to,personal computers (PCs), server computers, hand-held or laptop devices,smart phones, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, settop boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs,minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environmentsthat include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative block diagram of workstations and serversthat may be used to implement the processes and functions of certainaspects of the present disclosure in accordance with one or more exampleembodiments. Referring to FIG. 2, illustrative system 200 may be usedfor implementing example embodiments according to the presentdisclosure. As illustrated, system 200 may include one or moreworkstation computers 201. Workstation 201 may be, for example, adesktop computer, a smartphone, a wireless device, a tablet computer, alaptop computer, and the like. Workstations 201 may be local or remote,and may be connected by one of communications links 202 to computernetwork 203 that is linked via communications link 205 to server 204. Insystem 200, server 204 may be any suitable server, processor, computer,or data processing device, or combination of the same. Server 204 may beused to process the instructions received from, and the transactionsentered into by, one or more participants.

Computer network 203 may be any suitable computer network including theInternet, an intranet, a wide-area network (WAN), a local-area network(LAN), a wireless network, a digital subscriber line (DSL) network, aframe relay network, an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network, avirtual private network (VPN), or any combination of any of the same.Communications links 202 and 205 may be any communications linkssuitable for communicating between workstations 201 and server 204, suchas network links, dial-up links, wireless links, hard-wired links, andthe like.

FIG. 3 depicts an illustrative computing system for deploying andmanaging executable process-management engines in accordance with one ormore example embodiments. Referring to FIG. 3, computing system 300 maybe associated with one or more organizations (e.g., corporations,universities, government entities, healthcare providers, financialinstitutions, or the like) and may include one or more computingdevices. For example, computing system 300 may include computing devices302 (e.g., associated with a first division of an organization),computing devices 304 (e.g., associated with a second division of theorganization), and computing devices 306 (e.g., associated with a thirddivision of the organization). Computing devices 302-306 may include oneor more of any type of computing device (e.g., desktop computer, laptopcomputer, tablet computer, smart phone, server, server blade, mainframe,virtual machine, or the like) configured to perform one or more of thefunctions described herein. Computing system 300 may also include one ormore networks. For example, computing system 300 may include network(s)308, which may include one or more sub-networks (e.g., LANs, WANs, VPNs,or the like) and may interconnect one or more of computing devices 302,computing devices 304, and computing devices 306.

Computing system 300 may include centralized controller 310. Centralizedcontroller 310 may include one or more of any type of computing device(e.g., desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet computer, smart phone,server, server blade, mainframe, virtual machine, or the like)configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein.Centralized controller 310 may include one or more processor(s) 312,memory 314, communication interface 316, and/or data bus 318. Data bus318 may interconnect processor(s) 312, memory 314, and/or communicationinterface 316. Communication interface 316 may be a network interfaceconfigured to support communication between centralized controller 310and network(s) 308 (or one or more sub-networks thereof). Memory 314 mayinclude one or more program modules comprising instructions that whenexecuted by processor(s) 312 cause centralized controller 310 to performone or more functions described herein. For example, memory 314 mayinclude program module(s) 320, which may comprise instructions that whenexecuted by processor(s) 312 cause centralized controller 310 to performone or more functions described herein. Computing devices 302-306 mayinclude one or more of the components described above with respect tocentralized controller 310.

FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, FIG. 4C, and FIG. 4D depict an illustrative eventsequence for deploying and managing executable process-managementengines in accordance with one or more example embodiments. Referring toFIG. 4A, at steps 1-3, centralized controller 310 may configurecomputing system 300 in a single deployment of an executable process(e.g., an executable process associated with business process management(BPM) software, a BPM database, or the like). As shown in FIG. 4A,centralized controller 310 may, in step 1, deploy an executable processconfiguration to computing devices 302 for installation by computingdevices 302. In the same deployment, centralized controller 310 may, instep 2, deploy the configuration to computing devices 304 forinstallation by computing devices 304. In the same deployment,centralized controller 310 may, in step 3, deploy the configuration tocomputing devices 306 for installation by computing devices 306. Whilethe deployment is shown in three steps, centralized controller 310 mayconfigure computing system 300 in a single deployment by deploying thesame configuration to each of the computing devices 302-306. In someembodiments, the configuration may be sent to each of the computingdevices 302-306 substantially contemporaneously (e.g., within a presettimeframe). By using a single deployment package (e.g., a single image)to deploy the configuration, the computing system 300 may eliminatemultiple separate manual deployments and reduce overhead.

The configuration may include one or more processes to accomplish one ormore objectives of an organization. A process may be a workflow ofstructured sets of activities. As an example, the process may includemultiple structured activities (e.g., tasks, processing events, or thelike) that are interconnected by logical directional arrows, which mayrepresent a handoff of data between the structured activities. That is,an output of one activity may be used as an input for another activity.The handoffs may correspond to a one-to-one relationship, a one-to-manyrelationship, a many-to-one relationship, and/or a many-to-manyrelationship of the objects. In one or more arrangements, the processmay be in the form of an executable instance (e.g., an executablesoftware function, application, module, or the like). In sucharrangements, the process may be represented by a directed graph witheach node/object of the directed graph representing a structured task,and each edge of the directed graph representing a relation between theobjects. A computing system (e.g., computing devices 302, 304, 306) mayexecute the executable instance to perform and/or otherwise implementthe process of the organization and accomplish a goal or objective ofthe organization. For instance, each process (and therefore eachexecutable instance) may correspond to various different scenarios(e.g., use cases) a computing system or person of the organization mayencounter.

As an example, one process may be for setting up a bank account at afinancial institution. In such an example, the associated set ofstructured activities may be performed in the following order: receivinga request to setup a bank account from an applicant, publishing awebpage including fields to receive information from the applicant,receiving the applicant's information via the webpage, creating anaccount within an account database of the financial institution, andsending a notification to the applicant that his or her account has beencreated. A computing system (e.g., computing devices 302-306) mayexecute the executable instance (e.g., instruction) to, for example,cause the computing system to perform one or more of the structuredactivities (e.g., publish a webpage, create an account, or the like) tocause a bank account for the applicant to be set up.

As another example, one process may be for a loan application. Such aprocess workflow may include many different structured activities, whichmay be performed in the following order: receiving the applicant'sinformation via a published webpage including fields to receiveinformation from the applicant or retrieving the applicant's informationfrom a database of the financial institution, retrieving the applicant'scredit score and other information from a third-party entity, analyzingthe user's information, determining whether the loan has been approvedbased on the analysis, and outputting the result to the applicant. Acomputing system (e.g., computing devices 302-306) may execute theexecutable-instance (e.g., instruction) to, for example, cause thecomputing system to perform one or more of the activities (e.g.,retrieve user's credit score, analyze information, or the like) todetermine whether the bank should grant the applicant a loan, and underwhat conditions.

Once deployed, each of computing devices 302-306 may generate data(e.g., data for one or more graphical user interfaces) configured topresent users with one or more process of the organization in anexecutable format. For instance, the data may include a displayableobject (e.g., a scrollable list, table, or the like) so that a user mayview a brief description of one or more executable instances and selectan executable instance for execution to accomplish various objectives ofthe organization. For instance, computing devices 302-306 may apply oneor more datasets to the executable instances to perform tests and/oraccomplish an objective. In some instances, receiving a particular inputmay trigger an executable instance. Following the setting up of anaccount example discussed above, receiving a user request to set up anaccount at a computing system may trigger the computing system toexecute the executable instance associated with the process of settingup an account.

The configuration may include a listing, table or other displayable datastructure to display various templates of the processes of theorganization. In one or more arrangements, each executable instance mayhave a specific corresponding template. In one or more alternative oradditional arrangements, an executable instance may have multiplecorresponding templates covering different use cases or scenarios. Thelist or table may include a description section that includes adescription of the scenarios covered and/or functions performed by theexecutable instance (process) that is associated with the template. As aresult, at step 4, a user may view the descriptions and select atemplate that is the most similar to his or her scenario or use case tosatisfy a particular objective of the organization. As will be discussedin further detail below, each template may be user-editable to enable auser to tailor a template to a particular scenario.

As an example, a user of computing devices 302 may, via a graphical userinterface, view a list of executable objects and determine that none ofthe listed executable instances will satisfy the requirements of his orher particular scenario. At step 4, the user may, via computing devices302, select combinations of preset attributes (e.g., categories, tasksto be accomplished, relationships, or the like) from one or moredropdown lists of the user interface that best describes and/orotherwise characterizes the user's particular scenario. Searchattributes describing the user's particular scenario may include, butare not limited to, data input triggers, input types, output types,activity or processing types, number of activities, scheduling, resourcetypes, alerts, product type, or the like. Other search attributes mayinclude process name, author, creation date, version, department, role,group, category, classification, or the like. The user interface mayalso enable user-selection of relationships between the attributes. Asan example, the user may select one activity and link its output withthe input of another activity to define a handoff.

At step 5, using the selected attributes/relations and the configurationfile, computing devices 302 may generate and transmit a search queryrepresentative of the selected attributes and relations to centralizedcontroller 310. In some instances, the search query may include anidentifier (e.g., a tag) of each selected attribute and any user-definedrelations between the selected attributes. At step 6, centralizedcontroller 310 may then either modify the search query (or use thesearch query itself) to determine which templates, in a templatedatabase storing numerous templates for executable instances, match theselected attributes and relations. In some embodiments, the templatedatabase is a part of centralized controller 310. In other embodiments,the template database is remote from (but communicatively coupled to)centralized controller 310.

At step 7, centralized controller 310 may transmit the query results(e.g., information identifying the matching templates such as templateidentifiers and associated description) to computing devices 302. Amatching template may be a template that matches each of the selectedattributes and relations. Further, centralized controller 310 maytransmit information identifying templates (e.g., template identifiersand associated description) that might not match each (e.g., all) of theselected attributes but meet/match at least a threshold percentage ofthe selected attributes and relations. As an example, a template thatmeets 3 of 4 attributes may have its identifying information transmittedif the threshold percentage is e.g., 75 percent. In such an example, ifanother template meets 2 of 4 attributes, its identifying informationmight not be transmitted. Additionally or alternatively, centralizedcontroller 310 may also transmit identifying information of templatesthat might not match each (e.g., all) of selected attributes andrelations but meet/match specifically identified attributes and/orrelations. As an example, the user may, in step 4, tag a particularattribute as being obligatory and/or another attribute as beingoptional. In such an example, centralized controller 310 may transmitidentifying information for a template that has at least the obligatoryattribute. Centralized controller 310 may rank order the identifyinginformation (e.g., template identifiers/descriptions) based on thenumber of attributes and/or relations that the associated templatematches with a higher ranking being awarded to templates having agreater number of matching attributes and/or relations.

While, in steps 5-7, centralized controller 310 is used by computingdevices 302 to remotely query the template database, in one additionalor alternative arrangement, template database may be directly queried bycomputing devices 302 without involvement of centralized controller 310.In yet another additional or alternative arrangement, the configurationmay include the information from the template database so that computingdevices 302 may locally perform the search without further involvementof the template database.

At step 8, computing devices 302 may display and/or otherwise present,via a graphical user interface, the listing of query results in rankedorder. For instance, the listing may include the template identifiersand corresponding brief description for the templates having matching(or closely matching) templates to the selected attributes and/orrelations. Additionally, the listing may identify which selectedattributes and relations the template corresponding to the templateidentifier match, for example, to enable a user to determine theproperties and characteristics of each template efficiently.Additionally, the graphical user interface may include one or morefilters to further refine an order in which the template identifiers arelisted and/or otherwise presented. For instance, the listing may befiltered by a specified attribute, relation, date, version, author,department, function, input type, output type, process performed, anyother data field or characteristic described herein, or the like.

In some instances, the user may modify their query by having thecomputing devices repeat steps 4-8. That is, the user may selectattributes and/or relations and the computing devices 302 may send aquery representative of the selected attributes and/or relations to thecentralized controller 310. Centralized controller 310 may then querythe template database and send the search results to the computingdevices 302 for display in ranked order. The user may modify theirsearch and/or filter the search results until finding a templateidentifier corresponding to a template that best represents theparameters of a particular scenario or use case. In some embodiments,computing devices 302 (or centralized controller 310) may, using theconfiguration, automatically select the best-matching template based onattributes, relations, and/or other parameters selected by the user.

At step 9, the user may, via the graphical user interface, request aparticular template (by e.g., selecting a particular templateidentifier) that best represents the attributes and relations to satisfythe parameters of their scenario. In response, computing devices 302 maytransmit the request for the particular template, which may include itstemplate identifier, to centralized controller 310. At step 10,centralized controller 310 may then use the template identifier toretrieve the requested template from the template database storing eachof the templates. In some instances, centralized controller 310 mayidentify the user (e.g., via a user identifier included in the request),determine the user's privilege level and compare the user's privilegelevel with a minimum privilege level associated with the requestedtemplate. If the user's privilege level is greater than or equal to theminimum privilege level, centralized controller 310 may determine thatthe user is authorized to receive the requested template. If not,centralized controller 310 may determine that the user is not authorizedto request the template and may fail to send the template to the userand/or may send a notification indicating that the user is notauthorized to request the template to computing device 302 for displayto the user.

In one or more embodiments, centralized controller 310 may determinewhether to apply one or more sets of rules to the template, which mayconvert one or more user-configurable parameters tonon-user-configurable parameters (e.g., fixed fields or fields withlimited editable options) to prevent the user from modifying suchparameters of the requested template. As a result, the user maymanipulate and modify the template without violating the one or moreapplied rules.

As an example, centralized controller 310 may determine whether therequested template is identified (e.g., tagged) as a template beingassociated with rules (e.g., standards) for multiple differentgeographic regions, industries, and/or legal jurisdictions. If so,centralized controller 310 may identify a corresponding set of rules forthe geographic region, industry, and/or legal jurisdictions in which anexecutable instance of the user-modified template (discussed below) isto be implemented. In some instances, the request for the template(received from computing devices 302) may include data identifying oneor more of the particular geographic region, industry, and/or legaljurisdiction. In other instances, centralized controller 310 may use thegeographic location of computing device 302 to determine the particularregion and/or legal jurisdiction. In yet other instances, centralizedcontroller 310 may send, to computing devices 302, a request for theuser to specify the region, industry, and/or jurisdiction and, inresponse, receive an identification of the geographic region, industry,and/or jurisdiction.

Once the appropriate rules for the requested template have beenidentified, centralized controller 310 may apply these rules to therequested template. As an example, one or more user-configurableparameters may be converted to non-user-configurable parameters (e.g.,fixed parameters). As another example, one or more user-configurableparameters may be limited in the available options or values for the oneor more user-configurable parameters (e.g., the number of availableoptions of a user-configurable parameter may be reduced). As a result,the user may be prevented from modifying one or more parameters/fieldsof the template so that an implementation of an executable instanceassociated with the modified template will comply with the rules for theparticular geographic region, industry and/or legal jurisdiction.

At step 11, centralized controller 310 may transmit the requestedtemplate to computing devices 302. At step 12, computing devices 302 maydisplay, via a graphical user interface, the requested template to theuser so that the user may update the template using theuser-configurable parameters in order to conform and/or otherwise tailorthe template to a particular scenario. Each template may be associatedwith a particular executable instance (e.g., a process of theorganization) and may include multiple user-configurable parametersand/or multiple editable fields. One user-configurable parameter may bean add new structured activity parameter. Another user-configurableparameter may be a modify a structured activity parameter. Yet anotheruser-configurable parameter may be a remove a structured activityparameter. Still yet another user-configurable parameter may be linkingthe output of one or more structured activities to the input of one ormore other structured activities.

The user-configurable parameters may be in the form of toolkits havinguser-selectable menus and fields. Each toolkit may be representativeand/or otherwise associated with one or more phases of aprocess-management lifecycle including, for example, one or more design,modeling, execution, monitoring, or optimization phases. A design-phasetoolkit may be associated with the design phase and permit the user toidentify and modify current processes (e.g., activities or tasks whichhand-off and/or otherwise flow to other activities or tasks). Thedesign-phase toolkit may also enable the user to define new processesfor use in a system. The user may, in addition to defining one or moreactivities or tasks, define hand-off triggering events to one or moreother generated (or previously defined) activities or tasks.Additionally, the user may define prioritization among variousprocesses. For instance, the user may define rules of what steps to taketo resolve conflicts between processes. As an example, the user maydefine such a conflict to trigger the computing system to send anotification of the conflict to the user or another specified person viaelectronic mail, text message, or the like. Additionally, the user mayselect documents (e.g., agreements, legal standards, engineeringstandards, industry standards, or the like) to govern one or more of theprocesses.

A modeling-phase toolkit may be associated with a modeling phase of thelifecycle and may permit the user to define system-specific variablesfor use in modeling the processes. For instance, the variables mayinclude costs, labor, schedule, or the like. An execution-phase toolkitmay be associated with the execution phase of the lifecycle and maypermit the user to define rules that govern behavior of the processeswhen they are executed by the computing system.

A monitoring-phase toolkit may be associated with the monitoring phaseof the lifecycle and may permit the user to define metrics by whichsuccess or failure of each of the processes may be measured. Forinstance, the user may define how long a task of a process should taketo complete for use during the monitoring phase. For instance, theuser-defined timeframe may be compared with the actual time taken tocomplete that task during the monitoring phase. Further, the user maydefine successful outputs (e.g., outcomes) and unsuccessful outputs orerrors. As a result, during the monitoring phase, the computing systemmay compute a success rate and/or an error rate for a process. The usermay define and/or link process-evaluation documents to the template sothat the user may access them during the monitoring phase. The user mayalso define what various statuses of a process mean (e.g., whether aparticular status is indicative of an error or some other metric). Anoptimization-phase toolkit may be associated with the optimization phaseof the lifecycle and may permit the user to define how data from themonitoring phase is displayed (e.g., to enable the user to identifyfrequent problem areas in the business processes and apply appropriateoptimization techniques during an optimization phase of the lifecycle).

User-configurable parameters or fields may permit the user to tailor thetemplate to a particular scenario. One or more user-configurableparameters may include defining classification rules (e.g., tocategorize data), defining particular fields and ranges for variousdata. For instance, one or more parameters may include defining fieldsfor estimated budget, amount spent, amount of budget remaining, project,schedule (activities in current period, activities in next period, lagtime), status, man hours, exception handling, personnel access (login),number of people involved, input volume (requests), benefits, notes,location, agenda, meetings, or the like. Other user-configurableparameters may include data input triggers, input types, output types,activity or processing types, number of activities, scheduling (e.g.,Gantt charts), resource types, alerts (e.g., alert trigger, alertcontent fields), product type, or the like. One or moreuser-configurable parameters may associate and/or link documents to thetemplate (e.g., agreements, standard operating procedures, checklists,guides, frequently asked questions, or the like). Additionally oralternatively, the user-configurable parameters may specify one or moreencryption, routing, compression, data-translation, or data-packagingactivities.

One or more user-configurable parameters may be related to detection andhandling of errors. The user may define various errors and how the erroris to be handled (e.g., reroute the data, generate an error report, orthe like). The user may define error fields to allow the user (or otherusers) to enter a description of a newly encountered error, how toreproduce the error, and/or how the data or process was affected by theerror.

Computing devices 302 may generate metadata for the modified template.In some instances, one or more fields of the metadata may be specifiedby the user. The template metadata may include a template identifier,version number, author, description of scenario, creation date,department, role, group, category, classification, or the like.

At step 13, computing device 302 may transmit data representative of themodified template and its metadata to centralized controller 310. Atstep 14, centralized controller 310 may generate an executable instancebased on the modified template. Centralized controller 310 may alsostore the modified template as a new template in the template database.Centralized controller 310 may also store the modified template'smetadata in the template database.

At steps 15-17, centralized controller 310 may reconfigure computingsystem 300 in another single deployment of the solution. As shown inFIG. 4D, centralized controller 310 may, in step 15, deploy an updatedconfiguration to computing devices 302 for installation by computingdevices 302. In the same deployment, centralized controller 310 may, instep 16, deploy the updated configuration to computing devices 304 forinstallation by computing devices 304. In the same deployment,centralized controller 310 may, in step 17, deploy the updatedconfiguration to computing devices 306 for installation by computingdevices 306. While the deployment is shown in three steps, centralizedcontroller 310 may reconfigure computing system 300 in a singledeployment by deploying the same configuration to each of the computingdevices 302-306. In some embodiments, the configuration may be sent toeach of the computing devices 302-306 substantially contemporaneously(e.g., within a preset timeframe). By using a single deployment package(e.g., a single image) to deploy the updated configuration, thecomputing system 300 may eliminate multiple separate manual deploymentsand reduce overhead.

Once deployed, a computing system may execute any of the executableinstances. As an example, computing devices 304 may execute anexecutable instance associated with the originally requested template.As another example, computing devices 302 may execute the newlygenerated executable instance associated with the updated template inaccordance with one or more user-defined events.

FIG. 5 depicts an illustrative method for deploying and managingexecutable process-management engines in accordance with one or moreexample embodiments. Referring to FIG. 5, at step 502, centralizedcontroller 310 may configure a computing system in a single deployment.For instance, centralized controller 310 may transmit a single image ofthe configuration to computing devices 302-306 for installation.

At step 504, centralized controller 310 may receive a communication froma computing system (e.g., computing devices 302). If the receivedcommunication is an execution command for an executable instance,centralized controller 310 may, at step 506, execute the executableinstance to perform a process. If the received communication is arequest for a template, centralized controller 310 may, at step 508,transmit the requested template to computing devices 302. If thereceived communication is an updated template, centralized controller310 may, at step 510, generate a new executable instance and templatebased on the updated template. At step 512, centralized controller 310may reconfigure the system. Centralized controller 310 may then repeatsteps 504-512.

In some instances, in generating a new executable instance and templatebased on the updated template (e.g., at step 510), centralizedcontroller 310 may generate the new template by merging a plurality ofdifferent templates, such as a first source template (which may, e.g.,be the same as or similar to the first template of the plurality oftemplates) and a second source template of the plurality of templates.For example, if the communication from the computing system (e.g.,computing devices 302) received by centralized controller 310 at step504 is and/or includes an updated template, centralized controller 310may, at step 510, generate a second executable instance of theexecutable process and a second template associated with the secondexecutable instance based on the updated first template. In addition,generating the second executable instance of the executable process andthe second template associated with the second executable instance basedon the updated first template may include merging the first templatewith a third template to produce the second template. The third template(which may, e.g., be used in the merging) may, for instance, bedifferent from the first template and the second template and may, forinstance, be obtained from the template database, from the user, and/orfrom another source. For example, in generating the second executableinstance of the executable process and the second template associatedwith the second executable instance based on the updated first template,centralized controller 310 may merge the first template with a thirdtemplate to produce the second template, and each of the first template,the second template, and the third template may be different templates.

In some embodiments, merging the first template with the third templateto produce the second template may include selectively combining one ormore elements of the first template with one or more elements of thethird template to produce the second template. For example, in mergingthe first template with the third template to produce the secondtemplate, centralized controller 310 may selectively combine one or moreelements of the first template with one or more elements of the thirdtemplate to produce the second template. For instance, the secondtemplate (which may, e.g., result from the merging of other templates)may have hybrid variables (e.g., rather than static variables) thatresult from different templates interacting with each other and/or fromidentifying the common elements among different templates. As a result,where non-merged templates may have been executed sequentially,different actions associated with different templates resulting in themerged template may be executed in parallel. In other words, distinctsystems may, in some instances, generate their own versions of atemplate, which may be merged with either common elements and/ordifferentiated elements to form a singular template (e.g., a hybridtemplate) that is sequentially executable (e.g., by centralizedcontroller 310). Additionally or alternatively, data elements at theintersection of the templates being merged may create a streamlinedlayer that may be called upon and/or otherwise used by centralizedcontroller 310 going forward.

In some embodiments, the first template may be associated with a firstprocess, and the third template may be associated with a second processdifferent from the first process. For example, the templates beingmerged by centralized controller 310 (which may, e.g., be the firsttemplate and the third template used by centralized controller 310 inproducing the second template) may be associated with differentprocesses, such as different business processes.

In some embodiments, the first template may be associated with a firstprocess engine, and the third template may be associated with a secondprocess engine different from the first process engine. For example, thetemplates being merged by centralized controller 310 (which may, e.g.,be the first template and the third template used by centralizedcontroller 310 in producing the second template) may be associated withdifferent process engines, such as different business process enginesand/or different computer systems. For instance, a first businessprocess engine system may perform a first set of actions and a secondbusiness process engine system may perform a second set of actions. Inmerging templates to produce the second template, centralized controller310 may produce a template that merges the functions of both the firstbusiness process engine system and the second business process enginesystem into a template that is executable by a single business processengine system.

In some embodiments, the first process engine might not interact withthe second process engine. For instance, the first business processengine system and the second business process engine system in thepreceding example might not interact with each other, and thus bymerging templates to produce the second template (which may, e.g., beconsidered a merged hybrid template), centralized controller 310 mayimprove usage of computing resources and/or otherwise improve computingefficiency, as the second template produced by centralized controller310 can be executed by a single business process engine system.

In some embodiments, the second template may define a series ofactivities that are sequentially executable in a serial stream by asingle computer system. For example, the second template (which may,e.g., be produced by centralized controller 310 by merging the firsttemplate and the third template) may define a series of activities thatare sequentially executable in a serial stream by a single computersystem, such as centralized controller 310 or another computer system,rather than existing as separate templates defining separate activitiesthat are executable on separate systems. Indeed, in contrast to a statictemplate, a merged hybrid template may be produced in a scenario inwhich a business process engine interacts with other business processengines that are not in its frame. The merged hybrid template may haveand/or share some of the same parameters as the original statictemplates that were combined to form the merged hybrid template, as thismay allow one business process engine to take components from anotherbusiness process engine to satisfy some third end system. In this way,different business process engines may interact with each other tocreate a hybrid view.

In addition, merged hybrid templates may be applied and/or otherwiseutilized in scenarios involving various executable processes, such asexecutable business processes in which a business process enginecollects data, validates data, transforms data, and/or outputs data.Such a merged hybrid template may enable a business process engine toeasily repeat a particular process without having to have the process beredefined prior to every instance. For example, one business processengine may be configured to generate account numbers for new credit cardaccounts, and another business process engine may be configured todetect unauthorized activity in credit card accounts. A merged hybridtemplate may connect the two business process engines so that a singleinterleaved process may be executed (e.g., by centralized controller310), rather than having each business process engine execute itsrespective functions sequentially.

In some embodiments, reconfiguring the computing system based on thesecond executable instance of the executable process may includereconfiguring the computing system based on the second executableinstance of the executable process while maintaining the configurationof the computing system based on the first executable instance. Forexample, in reconfiguring the computing system based on the secondexecutable instance of the executable process at step 512, centralizedcontroller 310 may reconfigure the computing system based on the secondexecutable instance of the executable process while maintaining theconfiguration of the computing system based on the first executableinstance.

One or more aspects of the disclosure may be embodied in computer-usabledata or computer-executable instructions, such as in one or more programmodules, executed by one or more computers or other devices to performthe operations described herein. Generally, program modules includeroutines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and the likethat perform particular tasks or implement particular data types whenexecuted by one or more processors in a computer or other dataprocessing device. The computer-executable instructions may be stored ona computer-readable medium such as a hard disk, optical disk, removablestorage media, solid-state memory, RAM, or the like. The functionalityof the program modules may be combined or distributed as desired invarious embodiments. In addition, the functionality may be embodied inwhole or in part in firmware or hardware equivalents, such as integratedcircuits, application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), fieldprogrammable gate arrays (FPGA), or the like. Particular data structuresmay be used to more effectively implement one or more aspects of thedisclosure, and such data structures are contemplated to be within thescope of computer-executable instructions and computer-usable datadescribed herein.

Various aspects described herein may be embodied as a method, anapparatus, or as one or more computer-readable media storingcomputer-executable instructions. Accordingly, those aspects may takethe form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely softwareembodiment, an entirely firmware embodiment, or an embodiment combiningsoftware, hardware, and firmware aspects in any combination. Inaddition, various signals representing data or events as describedherein may be transferred between a source and a destination in the formof light or electromagnetic waves traveling through signal-conductingmedia such as metal wires, optical fibers, or wireless transmissionmedia (e.g., air or space). In general, the one or morecomputer-readable media may comprise one or more non-transitorycomputer-readable media.

As described herein, the various methods and acts may be operativeacross one or more computing servers and one or more networks. Thefunctionality may be distributed in any manner, or may be located in asingle computing device (e.g., a server, a client computer, or thelike).

Aspects of the disclosure have been described in terms of illustrativeembodiments thereof. Numerous other embodiments, modifications, andvariations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims will occurto persons of ordinary skill in the art from a review of thisdisclosure. For example, one or more of the steps depicted in theillustrative figures may be performed in other than the recited order,and/or one or more depicted steps may be optional.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: at a centralized controllercomprising, at least one processor, a memory, and a communicationinterface: configuring, by the at least one processor, a computingsystem in a single deployment of an executable process, wherein theexecutable process comprises a plurality of executable instancescorresponding to different sets of structured activities, wherein eachexecutable instance is associated with a template, of a plurality oftemplates for the executable process, comprising a plurality ofuser-configurable parameters at least including an add new structuredactivity parameter, a modify a structured activity parameter, and aremove a structured activity parameter; in response to receiving arequest for a first template of the plurality of templates, outputting,by the at least one processor, the first template, wherein the firsttemplate is associated with a first executable instance of theexecutable process; receiving, by the at least one processor, an updatedfirst template associated with the first template, wherein the updatedfirst template comprises an update to the first template via one or moreof the plurality of user-configurable parameters; generating, by the atleast one processor, a second executable instance of the executableprocess and a second template associated with the second executableinstance based on the updated first template, wherein generating thesecond executable instance of the executable process and the secondtemplate associated with the second executable instance based on theupdated first template comprises merging the first template with a thirdtemplate to produce the second template, and wherein the third templateis different from the first template and the second template;reconfiguring, by the at least one processor, the computing system basedon the second executable instance of the executable process; andexecuting, by the at least one processor, the second executable instanceof the executable process on a user-specified data set.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, wherein merging the first template with the third template toproduce the second template comprises selectively combining one or moreelements of the first template with one or more elements of the thirdtemplate to produce the second template.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein the first template is associated with a first process, and thethird template is associated with a second process different from thefirst process.
 4. The method of claim 2, wherein the first template isassociated with a first process engine, and the third template isassociated with a second process engine different from the first processengine.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first process engine doesnot interact with the second process engine.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein the second template defines a series of activities that aresequentially executable in a serial stream by a single computer system.7. The method of claim 1, wherein reconfiguring the computing systembased on the second executable instance of the executable processcomprises reconfiguring the computing system based on the secondexecutable instance of the executable process while maintaining theconfiguration of the computing system based on the first executableinstance.
 8. The method of claim 1, comprising: executing, by the atleast one processor, the first executable instance of the executableprocess on a different-specified data set.
 9. The method of claim 1,comprising: determining, by the at least one processor, a geographicregion for an implementation of the second executable instance;determining, by the at least one processor, a set of rules specific tothe geographic region of a plurality of sets of rules corresponding todifferent geographic regions; and applying, by the at least oneprocessor, the set of rules specific to the geographic region to thefirst template prior to outputting the first template, wherein theapplied set of rules specific to the geographic region are configured toprevent a user from modifying at least one of one or more fields of thefirst template or one or more structured activities of a set ofstructured activities associated with the first template such thatcompliance of the implementation of the second executable instance withthe set of rules specific to the geographic region is maintained. 10.The method of claim 9, comprising: determining, by the at least oneprocessor, a particular industry, of a plurality of industries, for animplementation of the second executable instance; determining, by the atleast one processor, a set of industry standards for the implementationbased on the particular industry; and applying, by the at least oneprocessor, the set of industry standards to the first template prior tooutputting the first template, wherein the applied set of industrystandards are configured to prevent a user from modifying at least oneof one or more fields of the first template or one or more structuredactivities of a set of structured activities associated with the firsttemplate such that compliance of the implementation of the secondexecutable instance with the set of industry standards is maintained.11. The method of claim 10, comprising: determining, by the at least oneprocessor, a set of legal standards for an implementation of the secondexecutable instance; and applying, by the at least one processor, theset of legal standards to the first template prior to outputting thefirst template, wherein the applied set of legal standards areconfigured to prevent a user from modifying at least one of one or morefields of the first template or one or more structured activities of aset of structured activities associated with the first template suchthat compliance of the implementation of the second executable instancewith the set of legal standards is maintained.
 12. The method of claim1, comprising: in response to receiving a request for the secondtemplate of the plurality of templates, outputting, by the at least oneprocessor and via the communication interface, the second template;receiving, by the at least one processor and via the communicationinterface, an updated second template associated with the secondtemplate, wherein the updated second template comprises an update to thesecond template via one or more of the plurality of user-configurableparameters; generating, by the at least one processor, a thirdexecutable instance of the executable process and a fourth templateassociated with the third executable instance based on the updatedsecond template; reconfiguring, by the at least one processor, thecomputing system based on the third executable instance of theexecutable process while maintaining the configuration of the computingsystem based on the second executable instance; and executing, by the atleast one processor, the third executable instance of the executableprocess on a different user-specified data set.
 13. The method of claim1, wherein each executable instance, of the plurality of executableinstances, are associated with a different process, and wherein eachactivity is associated with one of design, modeling, execution,monitoring, and optimization of the different process.
 14. The method ofclaim 1, wherein a particular set of structured activities comprises oneor more of an encryption activity, a routing activity, a compressionactivity, a data translation activity, or a data packaging activity. 15.The method of claim 1, comprising: displaying, by the at least oneprocessor, via a user interface, the first template comprising aplurality of fields, a set of structured activities in a workflow model,and the plurality of user-configurable parameters; and receiving, by theat least one processor, user input, via one or more of the plurality ofuser-configurable parameters, to manipulate the first template to createthe updated first template.
 16. The method of claim 15, comprising:receiving, by the at least one processor, user input to specify one ormore user-defined events, wherein the second executable instance isconfigured to execute in accordance with the one or more user-definedevents.
 17. The method of claim 1, comprising: determining, by the atleast one processor, a privilege level of a user associated with therequest; and wherein the outputting is in response to determining thatthe privilege level of the user is greater than or equal to a privilegelevel associated with the first template.
 18. An apparatus comprising: aprocessor; and a memory storing computer-readable instructions that,when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to: configure acomputing system in a single deployment of an executable process,wherein the executable process comprises a plurality of executableinstances corresponding to different sets of structured activities,wherein each executable instance is associated with a template, of aplurality of templates for the executable process, comprising aplurality of user-configurable parameters at least including an add newstructured activity parameter, a modify a structured activity parameter,and a remove a structured activity parameter; in response to receiving arequest for a first template of the plurality of templates, output thefirst template, wherein the first template is associated with a firstexecutable instance of the executable process; receive an updated firsttemplate associated with the first template, wherein the updated firsttemplate comprises an update to the first template via one or more ofthe plurality of user-configurable parameters; generate a secondexecutable instance of the executable process and a second templateassociated with the second executable instance based on the updatedfirst template, wherein generating the second executable instance of theexecutable process and the second template associated with the secondexecutable instance based on the updated first template comprisesmerging the first template with a third template to produce the secondtemplate, and wherein the third template is different from the firsttemplate and the second template; reconfigure the computing system basedon the second executable instance of the executable process; and executethe second executable instance of the executable process on auser-specified data set.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein mergingthe first template with the third template to produce the secondtemplate comprises selectively combining one or more elements of thefirst template with one or more elements of the third template toproduce the second template.
 20. One or more non-transitorycomputer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by anapparatus comprising, a processor and a memory, cause the apparatus to:configure a computing system in a single deployment of an executableprocess, wherein the executable process comprises a plurality ofexecutable instances corresponding to different sets of structuredactivities, wherein each executable instance is associated with atemplate, of a plurality of templates for the executable process,comprising a plurality of user-configurable parameters at leastincluding an add new structured activity parameter, a modify astructured activity parameter, and a remove a structured activityparameter; in response to receiving a request for a first template ofthe plurality of templates, output the first template, wherein the firsttemplate is associated with a first executable instance of theexecutable process; receive an updated first template associated withthe first template, wherein the updated first template comprises anupdate to the first template via one or more of the plurality ofuser-configurable parameters; generate a second executable instance ofthe executable process and a second template associated with the secondexecutable instance based on the updated first template, whereingenerating the second executable instance of the executable process andthe second template associated with the second executable instance basedon the updated first template comprises merging the first template witha third template to produce the second template, and wherein the thirdtemplate is different from the first template and the second template;reconfigure the computing system based on the second executable instanceof the executable process; and execute the second executable instance ofthe executable process on a user-specified data set.